Social Skills Week Six (Dec.) - God Made Me Special
In our final week of social skills group, we focused on the unique qualities that God gave to each one of us and how we can use those qualities to live out our purpose.
Cool in School boys (12/2) - we reviewed everything we had learned in group. Students listed their favorite topic and demonstrated that skill to the group. We played a few games to emphasize those skills - Simon Says (listening and emotions), Mother May I (following directions and manners), and Emotion Charades. We read Designed by God. Each student choose a few attributes that God gave to them, and we shared these with the group.
Success as if By Magic (12/3) - This was performance day. Each student chose a magic trick to demonstrate to the group, along with the accompanying “lesson”. Performing in front of peers allowed us to work on self-confidence and communication, and being an audience allowed us to practice respectful listening. I was so pleased with each of their demonstrations! Each boy managed to convey an appropriate “lesson” along with the magic trick they performed. At the end of class we learned two quick magic tricks - the changing dice (some things you can’t change, but some things - attitudes - you can) and the disappearing box (getting rid of bad habits and attitudes).
Cool in School girls (12/11) - we reviewed everything we had learned in group. Students listed their favorite topic and demonstrated that skill to the group. We read Designed by God. Students drew a picture and labeled it with talents or characteristics that God gave them.
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Safe Touch Parent Info/Test
Dear Parents,
Students will begin coming home with the Safe Touch pre- and post-tests. Each student took a pre-test before I shared the Safe Touch training, and each student took a post-test after the training. This allows you and me to see how much students already knew, as well as what they learned from the training.
Keeping children safe from those who would harm them requires constant vigilance and care. I encourage you to talk to your children often about their body rights, their feelings, and the fact that they can, and should, talk to you about ANYTHING that makes them nervous, uncomfortable, or awkward.
I encourage you to talk with your children about the Safe Touch test, and ask them to explain the reasons for the answers to you. Those reasons are attached for your information: microsoft-word-unsafe-touch-test-parent-review
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Bully Free - Parents Review Child’s Test
Many of the classes at CAL have signed up for or have already received the bully free training. Tests will come home with your students that helps evaluate what they learned about bullying. I encourage you to review these tests with your children. This is a great way to reinforce the idea of being bully free as well as to let your children know that they can talk to you about any issues that may arise. Test questions, their answers, and ideas for parental conversation are attached below.
The Bully Free Pledge that all elementary students at CAL are asked to sign is as follows:
* I will not bully or be mean to others.
* I will try to help students who are bullied.
* If I know someone is being bullied, I will tell an adult at home and an adult at school.
* I will include those who are left out.
Grades 4 & 5: microsoft-word-bully-free-test-parent-review
Grades 2 & 3: microsoft-word-bully-free-test-2-and-3-parent-review
There is not a test for the kindergarten and first graders. They will come home with a paper for your review.
Thank you for your support in helping to make CAL a bully-free school!
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Social Skills Week Five (Nov.) - Responsible Behavior
This week in groups we are focusing on the decisions that we make and how to make decisions that are pleasing to God and that also allow us to grow in wisdom.
Cool in School boys (11/25) - We read “Boys Wanted” from The Book of Children’s Virtues. The boys then drew a picture of the type of boy God wanted them to be. Then we played with the decision cards. Each boy drew a random scenario and acted out what he would/should do in each situation (i.e. You are watching your favorite TV show. Your mom tells you to turn it off and come to dinner. You…)This allowed us to practice decision making, reacting to others with empathy, and assertiveness.
Success as if By Magic (11/19) - The week in Success we are going to discuss self-control by reviewing and playing part of the Chill Out game throughout the office: microsoft-word-chill-out-game1. But the bulk of our time focused on responsible and respectful behavior. The magic trick to emphasize this behavior is the rising ruler. Students learn how to make a ruler rise from the palm of one’s hand with each demonstration of responsible behavior. We used the decision-making cards (see Cool in School boys) to choose and demonstrate responsible reactions. The secret is to attach a rubber band to a ring or to the child’s finger. Place the botttom of the ruler into the open end of the rubber band and push it down. Hold the ruler with the thumb, while the palm faces AWAY from the audience. The thumb carefully releases its grip, which allows the ruler to rise. NOTE - students are warned that those who shoot the rubber band at people will not be allowed to participate in this trick.
Cool in School Girls (12/4) - We read “There Was a Little Girl” from The Book of Children’s Virtues and talked about making good decisions. Then we played with the decision cards. Each girl pulled a random scenario and acted out what she would/should do in each situation (i.e. You are watching your favorite TV show. Your mom tells you to turn it off and come to dinner. You…)This allowed us to practice decision making, reacting to others with empathy, and assertiveness.
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